Secretly recorded video of Mitt Romney at a private fundraiser in May was leaked online last night, and his comments about the millions of Americans who rely on government assistance is receiving harsh criticism this morning.

Romney has tried to clarify his remarks, saying they were "off the cuff" and "not elegantly stated," but that has not stopped the Obama campaign from pouncing on the remarks.

On Starting Point this morning, Ted Strickland, former Ohio governor and national co-chair of Obama's reelection campaign, reacts to the Republican candidate's comments about "those people."

"Romney apparently feels that if you don't have his economic status, that somehow you're a parasite," Strickland says. "He spoke from his heart and that's what troubles me. If you listen to that tape, you understand that this man is speaking in the most casual, relaxed way with rich fat cats about a large portion of the American population that he has zero respect for."

Responding to Romney senior adviser Bay Buchanan, who called the incident is a "bump in the road," Strickland responds, "Well, it wasn't a bump in the road. It was a deep chasm, in my judgment. Quite frankly, what the governor said is very significant. It reveals something about his value system. For him to speak with such disdain about so many Americans, and he wants to be our president?"

my husband is a disabled veteran. he recieves a pension monthly that is not taxed. we have taken offense over mitt romney's comments. we are the forty seven per cent who will not be voting for mitt. we are entitled to the money we recieve.

Real issues with Romney statement:
1. He has a different opinions depending if he is behind doors or out in the public? Where is the real Romney?
2. He does not consider tax breaks as entitlements or living of the Government ( the People) : a clear double standard.
3. I will have a problem with a president that cannot handle a discussion without having a script on hand.

Wow...what else is new? We all know that our economy needs more work, obviously, I am not surprised, but shouldn't we focus on jobs and education and not about who is rich and who is poor, or who pays taxes and who does not. Who ever becomes president will have his hands full...both parties have there flaws, both parties have let down the poor and the rest of the 47% people, enough, there is enough blame for both...The focus should be on the economy....yes the words coming from Romney should not be a surprise, his point of view, is only his view, not all his party believes this way, a majority do , but Democrats are not that innocent either, there policies have not worked either the poor are still poor, the rich are still rich, is this really going to change, not for a long shot....I do have to admit that the poor and disable take the heat from both parties, this economy is not stable, this economy will not change in the near future, but again i rather have a Democrat president than a Republican, there is always a away to change ,but there is no way to improve the heart of Mr Romney, he is what he is today,tomorrow, we all know his true belief about people,
his own reality, why would we want someone like that to be our president, haven't we seen enough of who he is
We had a president who thought like Romney and look where he took us, look what we lost, and look at where we are now, we should ask do we want more of the same old beliefs that have proven to be damaging to our all well being, We have to remember it was not the Democrats who went to war, It was not the Democrats who lied about going to war this economy is what it is today. because of the Republicans..all the money they spent on the crazy war, did not make us safer? all it did was make us more enemies in the middle east, but republicans want to forget about all of this, they want to blame the poor people or the old people and people who must get public assistance, not because they want it, because they have to in order to live, how can they blame these people and calling them lazy and moochers,but that is the heart of a republican but that should not be, but the fact it is...do we want a president who has a heart like this....We live in Democracy, we do not live like the third world, we must not let this happen for all humanity. If we want to be a strong nation, we must lead like one, We should not let this election become a black and white issue, it should be based on who can lead this country, who has the whole people at heart not just the 1%, really it comes down to this,

Soledad, please show that same backbone/tenacity on all issues regardless of which party they person belongs to. You are normally gentle and agreeing with the Democrats and a shark with the Republicans. Go after the truth, not just the truth you happen to be believing. When President Obama or VP Biden gaffs, you and everyone else wants to let 100 people explain what he meant and let it slide. When Romney gaffs, you go for the jugular. Very bias. You quote from factcheck.org when it favors your side but not when it reads against your side. Again, very bias. I don’t care if you go after folks on my side if it’s done equally. But it’s not. So what about President Obama being caught telling the Russian President that he can be more “flexible” after the elections? Aren’t you interested in what he is planning? What about President Obama dissing Netanyahu with Sarkozy and then turning around talking nice about Israel? And so on… Go after them Soledad.

In regards to this morning's show, how unfortunate it is that the average person in our country truly doesn't understand taxes. Soledad thought she hit a homerun when she informed Bay Buchanan that EVERYONE who works pays taxes. They pay "payroll" taxes. Well, technically, you are right Soledad. But if you understood the tax system at all you would also understand that those payroll taxes are returned via a REFUND check when their tax returns are filed. Also, 8 out of 10 of those people receiving ALL of their payroll taxes back are also receiving an Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, etc., etc. So, for example, if a single mother earns 20,000. and pays 10% of that in payroll tax, she will receive all 10% (2,000.) back plus approximately 2,000.- 4,000. more for other credits. Now, this mother has just made 22 to 24,000.00 for their previous tax year. Please,before spewing your opinion, get the information correct. That is what is wrong with this country. The experts ARE NOT experts.

This morning I watched Soledad O'Brien's interview/commentary with Bay Buchanan regarding Mitt Romney's (out of context) comments regarding the "47%" of Americans that he "doesn't care about". Clearly O'Brien completely missed the meaning of Romney's comments. He was speaking about a segment of the American electorate that he would never be able to reach, and cited a number of reasons. Buchanan repeatedly attempted to clarify Romney's view – numerous times during the exchange, but was continuously – and rudely – interrupted by O'Brien. O'Brien's lack of objectivity makes her reporting extremely suspect (Walter Cronkite where are you when we need you?). Let's be honest: these news reporters are not subject-matter experts on anything. Their personal views are irrelevant; If you're going to invite someone on the show, let them speak. If CNN's news reporting is going to be so slanted then it isn't worth watching. Just report the news, and keep personal -and largely ignorant – opinions to yourselves. By the way, FOX News isn't any better. Thank God for PBS. Winston Churchill was quoted as saying that the "best argument against democracy was a 5-minute conversation with the average voter." O'Brien seems to fall into that category.

Solidad, you have backbone! I have not seen your show but I've been seeing clips on social media and you have a new fan! Keep up putting facts and pressing reality to your guests. REFRESHING... Keep it real!

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